Chicago Museums

(Chicago, Illinois - IL, USA)



Although much of Chicago appears very business oriented, sightseers and beach-goers often enjoy spending a day or two exploring the city's best museums. There is a particularly large concentration of museums standing along 5th Avenue and this is often aptly referred to as the Chicago Museum Mile.

Located on the northern side of Jackson Park and alongside the East Lagoon, the Museum of Science and Industry is actually one of the world's largest science centers and is full of interesting and exciting exhibits, many of which are interactive. Formerly known as the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the family friendly Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is also of note and located next to the Lincoln Park Conservatory.


Chicago Museums

Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)

Address: 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Tel: +1 312 684 1414
Occupying the city's former Palace of Fine Arts, used in 1893 at the famous World's Columbian Exposition, the Museum of Science and Industry ranks as the fourth-biggest of all the city's attractions. Visitors will discover a large Omnimax Theater, a coal mine, virtual reality exhibits, a space center and even a German submarine. A car parking area is available onsite, while close by, you may also like to visit the Henry Crown Space Center and the Promontory Point Park.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, free on Thursdays

Aurora Historical Museum

Address: 305 Cedar Street, William Tanner House, Aurora, 60506, Illinois, USA
Tel: +1 630 897 9029
The Aurora Historical Museum was once home to leading Chicago businessman William Tanner and today recreates his life and furnishings during the late 19th century. With traditional antique furniture, clothes, toys, decorations, photographs and paintings, the Aurora also stores many of the city's important archives and documents.
Open hours: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, students and seniors

Chicago Museums

Clarke House Museum

Address: 1827 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, 60616, Illinois, USA
Tel: +1 312 326 1480
The Clarke House is the city's oldest residence and was built in 1836. This Greek Revival-style building, featuring tall columns and detailed architecture, is open to the public and depicts what typical life was like for a middle-class family in the city, before the Civil War. Guided tours are available.
Open hours: tours are available from Wednesday to Sunday at 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, students and seniors

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Address: 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Tel: +1 773 755 5100
Standing just across from the North Lake Shore Drive, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is one of the most popular attractions of its kind in the city, being full of interesting exhibits relating to the world of science. In particular, look out for the Ice Age cave, the walk-through prehistoric coal forest, the many changing exhibits relating to the environment and the interactive children's gallery.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, free on Monday

Chicago Historical Society

Address: Clark Street at North Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Tel: +1 312 642 4600
The Chicago Historical Society is an interesting museum, featuring nostalgic exhibits and collections. Highlights at the Historical Society include a hands-on Historic Gallery, where children and adults can touch and discover local history and explore the growth of the city. There are also numerous collections of autographs, fashions, toys, tools, furniture, watches, sculptures, posters, important documents and much more besides.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 16:30, Sunday 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, free on Monday

Chicago Museums

The Field Museum

Address: Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Tel: +1 312 922 9410
This vast museum is one of the city's largest, featuring over 9 acres / 4 hectares of interesting exhibitions and collections, from all over the world. The Chicago Field's most popular attractions include the 'DNA to Dinosaurs' exhibit, where almost four billions years of life is explained, together with further dinosaur-related displays.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, free on Thursday

The DuSable Museum of African American History

Address: 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Tel: +1 312 947 0600
Full of interesting collections, artifacts, books, civil right memorabilia, drawings, paintings and important works of art by African Americans, the DuSable Museum is actually the oldest independent institution of its kind in America. This attraction is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of African Americans.
Open hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday - 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, free on Thursday